March Madness

What a week. I lost my brain and decided to gather the St. Petersburg paperwork just in case the two families going that way get fast referrals and Svetlana thinks we would be successful there.. I would rather go to Moscow, but if Ariana is in St. Pete, that works too. At first, I went after it like a crazy woman. Then, I hit a wall. I need to get motivated to finish it. In truth, I thought it would be a nice diversion. Good to have something to focus on. In reality, I am not in the mood. I want to make travel plans and obsess over a picture. I also don't want it to limit us. I don't want us to be sitting over in St. Pete because we have the paperwork and have a perfect little girl show up in Moscow or some place else.

In other news, we are slowly moving forward on our addition. We have the plans, we have the builder, we need a loan. Ian actually talked to someone. So, hopefully we will be submitting for permits soon. Our addition will attach to the back of the home, as a 20x30 rectangle. It will have 2 bedrooms downstairs that use a bathroom already in the existing home, and the upstairs will be a big play/media/workout room for the boys/men in my home. I need a place for all this aging testosterone. We then will put the toddler toys in what is supposed to be a guest room but we use it as a play room. And, Ian will have his study back- it is now being used as a nursery. Aidan and Ariana will get the 2 new rooms. I already have her bedding and I have the most beautiful chandelier to match it. I want to get her an overstuffed rocking chair like Aidan's. It is toile and called the Storybook series from Best Chairs. I love snuggling and reading to him every night in his chair. I can just imagine her as an 8 year old, curled up reading a good book in her chair. Corbin and Collin wanted to stay in their rooms. At first, I wanted them to move so they would be under the playroom. I don't want their noise to wake up the little ones. But, then I decided I really don't want my babies upstairs. And, honestly, I like the teenager being upstairs. So, giving them what they want is probably a good idea.
What I don't look forward to is A) paying for it and B) cleaning it. I can't keep my car clean, much less the house I have. How do you clean a 7 bedroom house, and work, and take care of 4 kids with a hubby who travels? Let's all pray my house keeper doesn't quit!!! Hey, Ondrea, want to bring that vacuum over here? I think it will take a shop vac to clean up after the storm of kids through this house on a daily basis.

In other news, Collin's arm is OK. He broke it when he fell from the monkey bars. We were scheduled for surgery, but in the end when we got to the hospital, the Dr. put him under- re broke it, adjusted it- and splinted it. Collin was bed bound for a week. Last Monday they put a cast on over the splint. Now we have weekly xrays to confirm the bone is still aligned correctly. We are looking forward to when they can put a waterproof cast on. He is a little whinny- but making it through.

Corbin turned 13 this month and had his sleep over last night. They are all playing paintball right now- including daddy.

I went to school this morning to get ready for re-accreditation. Every 5 years our prep school gets accredited, and the team arrives on Monday. I was shocked at how "unstressed" I was this year. But, it hit yesterday afternoon. All the sudden there were 500,000 things I wanted to do before they came. I only got through about 10- I have around 10 more I am going to do- and the rest I will just have to live with.

Aidan is napping. Corbin and Ian are at paintball. Collin has 3 friends playing video games in the back room... I think it is nap time for mommy!
May all be well with your families. God Bless!
Michelle